Marriage Encounter presenting team gathers in Alaska: Mel and Cheryl Evers of Hillsboro; Bishop William Skylstad; Bill and Sherry Tunilla of Anchorage, Alaska; and Jack and Jo Rich of Philomath.

Some Catholic couples from Oregon have traveled the globe to promote healthy marriage.

Ron and Hillary Tesch of Tualatin, Cheryl and Mel Evers of Hillsboro and John and La Vonne Doherty of North Portland, leaders in Worldwide Marriage Encounter, in September went to the Vatican where their organization was recognized by Pope Francis.

WILSONVILLE — Archdiocese of Portland priests active in labor issues have joined lay leaders to form a committee to help equip clergy to respond to labor problems — all in the context of Catholic social teaching. Called the Church and Social Justice Committee, the group focuses on issues they say affect parishioners, such as minimum wage laws, wage theft and the right of workers to organize. Thursday, December 8, 2016

With the rush of the Christmas season tapping at the door, the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon are offering an Advent Retreat to help remind the faithful of the blessings that come as we wait with Mary for the birth of our greatest blessing.Friday, December 2, 2016

MILWAUKIE — Larry Peacock has been named the new director of the Franciscan Spiritual Center, a ministry of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, committed to the spirit of Sts. Francis and Clare.

We have just been through what is arguably the most contentious and even bitter presidential elections ever. The level of discourse and the allegations flying back and forth were supremely disappointing to many of us. But the election is over, and a new president has been elected. We must accept that and move forward as best we can.

Pam Seman, who hails from the Pacific Island of Saipan, was visiting her sister Rose Robles, who is a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Aloha. A highlight of the visit was a chance to venerate a relic of St. John Paul II — a drop of his blood.

On Sunday night, Mike Buck walks into a darkened nave filled with candles at St. Ignatius Church. The room is quiet but crowded with people. Gentle instrumental music plays in the background. As the evening’s Mass begins at 7:30 p.m., the procession makes its way to the lighted altar.Saturday, November 26, 2016

Father Tim Furlow sits comfortably behind his desk at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Northwest Portland.

He jokes about his ambitions to create a monastic herb garden in the cathedral’s courtyard. While a prayerful ambition, this is not his ultimate ministry goal. As a recently ordained priest, he strives to carry out the will of his superiors and evangelize. Being in the heart of one of Portland’s younger neighborhoods, he often gets that chance.

“A Year of Prayer for our Priests” is a ministry of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women. We share the joy of this devotion with all Oregon Catholics. Please remember all priests, deacons and religious in your daily prayers. Friday, November 18, 2016

The local church in western Oregon recently had a marvelous experience of what it means to be the Body of Christ in mission for the sake of the Gospel. When we use the term “local church,” we are speaking of the diocesan church under the leadership of the bishop, including all members united as one (priests, deacons, laity and consecrated religious). The experience to which I am referring was our Archdiocesan Pastoral Assembly.Tuesday, November 15, 2016

VATICAN CITY — Professing belief in the resurrection of the dead and affirming that the human body is an essential part of a person’s identity, the Catholic Church insists that the bodies of the deceased be treated with respect and laid to rest in a consecrated place.Sunday, November 13, 2016

ST. BENEDICT — I have been a monk of Mount Angel Abbey for 43 years and have had the privilege to teach theology at Mount Angel Seminary for 35 of those years. This fall, for the first time, I greeted the incoming students not only as a teacher but also as abbot of the abbey and chancellor of the seminary. It was a joyful and humbling experience.

Randi Lauby left Grants Pass at 3:30 a.m. to make it to the Oct. 15 Archdiocese of Portland Catechetical Conference.

“I am looking to experience something that will overflow into others,” said Lauby, the new youth minister at St. Anne Parish. Echoing a main lesson of the day, she explained that she cannot pass faith to others unless she is full of it herself.